Bloody day in church

Suicide bombing made a shocking and bloody return yesterday – after a long lull.

Three people died during a church service in Bauchi.

Forty-six others, including two policemen, were injured, some critically.

A suicide bomber, driving an Opel Vectra saloon car, hit the barricade at St. John’s Catholic Church’s entrance at about 9.00am when the first mass ended and the second mass was about to start.

This is usually when there is a lot of people either leaving the church or coming in.

The casualty figure would have been higher, but for security men who prevented the lone bomber from driving into the church premises, according to an eyewitness.

An unconfirmed report said a woman and her six-year-old son were among the dead. There were many children among the injured.

Bauchi police spokesman Hassan Muhammed Auyo, who gave the casualty figure as three and 46 injured, confirmed that two policemen were injured.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State chapter, Rev. Lawi Pokti, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that more than 40 other worshippers were injured.

He put the figure of the dead at four.

“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with stakeholders also confirmed that three people died from the explosion.

“Apart from the suspected suicide bomber who was killed by the explosion, a woman and a child also lost their lives after the incident.

“Twenty two other injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital in Bauchi,” According to a statement by NEMA’s spokesman, Yushau Shuaib.

The CAN chairman said: “The incident occurred around 8.55a.m. when the first set of worshippers were coming out of the church and the second session was about to start.

“The suicide bomber came in an Opel saloon car but could not get through to the church premises. So, he hit the barricade at the gate and detonated his explosive device.

“He and three worshippers died while over 40 others were injured. Some of those injured are battling between life and death.”

A worshipper, Mr Osondu Chukwu, told NAN that but for the barricade, the casualties would have been more.

“The sound was massive and you can imagine if he had succeeded in getting to the hall where the service was taking place,” he said.

Mr Adamu Abubakar, the Secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross in Bauchi State, also told NAN on telephone that three persons died along with the bomber.

“Three persons died and 48 others were injured. Those injured are now being treated at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi,” he said.

Bauchi State Health Commissioner Dr.Sani Mallama said yesterday at the Trauma Centre of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital Bauchi that many people are critically injured.

A source at the centre said, “about 50 people sustained various injuries from critical to minor.

“You can count by yourself, though journalists are not allowed in here, but since “you were allowed in you can see things for yourself, but don’t take photographs.”

The commissioner said even those in critical conditions were being stabilised and we are coping with the situation.

“We have also put teaching hospitals in Kano and Jos on the alert in case we are not able to cope, we will quickly move such cases to these places for urgent attention.”

The bomber, it was learnt, arrived at the church gate at about 9 am, immediately after the first Mass, (service of the church). He could not enter the facility due to the nailed strong bars at the gate.

The bomber, according to a church source, asked the security men at the gate to open it for him but they refused. “He then reversed the car and drove towards the gate, rammed into it and his car exploded.”

There was an attempt to burn the church last year by a woman, who allegedly said she was asked to attack the church.

She was arrested and handed over to the police. The then Bauchi Police Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba, had said “she has been transferred to Abuja for further investigation”. Ever since, nothing about her has been heard.

St. John’s Catholic Church, Bauchi, is the Catholic Diocese headquarters where Bishop John Golten Malachi presides.

It is the second church to be attacked. The Harvest Field Church next to the Living Faith Church, Yelwa Tudu, on the outskirt of Bauchi, was attacked by a suicide bomber on July 3.

St. John’s Catholic Church which shares a boundary with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, was established in the 70s outside the Bauchi City walls.

Sam ,he who kicks the corpse of a wicked man is also wicked,try and read about jihad ,it is not really that u mean.all we need is just prayers as our politicians are answerable

justiche

ama, have you attacked the politicians? or the defenseless Christians in their churches and homes.As I am writing now kwunge ward in Maiduguri is being burnt down by our gallant military men, all of you will be definitely destroyed

toyin

very unfortunate

Dr OJAY

Every deed usually attracts the deserved reaction from God. Such can either be a reward or a revenge.. Evils abound….the end is near!

The God that delivered Istrael from the hands of the Egyptian will surely deliver our country from suicide bombers. But if any of our leaders know any thing about all these hapennings, they would surely be paid with their own coin

Hamza M. H

This is nt islam, and no place in islam dt agree wt ds stupidity

JesusFORGIVESMohammedREVENGES

What about “death to all unbelievers or infidels” as supported by the following verses:

Allah is an enemy to unbelievers. – Sura 2:98

If you should die or be killed in the cause of Allah, His mercy and forgiveness would surely be better than all they riches they amass. If you should die or be killed, before Him you shall all be gathered. – 3:157-8

You must not think that those who were slain in the cause of Allah are dead. They are alive, and well-provided for by their Lord. – Surah 3:169-71

O believers, take not Jews and Christians as friends; they are friends of each other. Those of you who make them his friends is one of them. God does not guide an unjust people. – 5:54

Make war on them until idolatry is no more and Allah’s religion reigns supreme – 8:39.

you cannot really interprete the quran if u are not guided, what is in it for muslim to kill the xtians,Allah said in QUARAN to the prophet SAW THAT your religion is urs and their religion is for them. U can not read quran like dictionary, there is cause and effect relationship in its revealation. U need to read History and the ways of the PROPHETS. u should not blasheme our Lord. Al the prophets for forgive, there is no room to seek revenge in Islam. boko harram mind u is political issue it has no bearing with islam. May GOD GUIDE U TO THE RIGHT PATH.

Alao Bashir . Thank u for being reasonable . I love ur comment . The truth is that most people commenting here knows nothing about either Christianity or Islam . We are uneccesarily zealous in Nigeria and ever ready to talk . Am a Christian but beyond religion , There is a bigger problem in Nigeria . Tribalism , war of class , selfishness and arrogant ambition prevail everywhere in Nigeria . If a thief is arrested , the comments will abadon the crime and target the tribe . If Imam or pastor messed up, his person will be cut out and his religion will take the stage . We can not survive because we don’t address issues but express anger and stupid individual opinion in the face of general headach . May God just help us from ourselves .

jamesk

u’re saying they (BOKO HARAM) are based on politics, Are they doing politics in CHURCH??????? U better shut up ur ass, if you don’t know what to say…… RIP the 2 people, except the sucider,

Ameh

i’m a Christian…but i don’t really think this comment u’ve made would bring about a healthy solution to the problem. instead it would bring about hatred between the followers of both religions. we should learn to respect others irrespective of their religious affiliations. God bless you

OMG,when wil dis evil act come to an end.God bring dis evil pple to book so DAT we can hav peace in nig once again.I tink dis is wat we shld take to d streets and protest massively against.RIP ,to d dead.Quick recovery to d injured.

George Okeke

These attarks are planed inside our street and near people houses, we should raise arlam whenever we suspect any movement we do not understand while our security agencies should make availabe confirmed, tested, functioning phone numbers to be reached at any time. g

Dili

Religion of peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ManofGod

this is a pure disgrace to muslims in Nigeria if they could address this issue at hand with their boko haramn member. Look common film acted in USA causing problem what of you people are killing Christian burning churches in Nigeria the Christian as never retaliate one day. That is to show the Christian are law abiding people and God is ready to fight for them. Infact I got a friend who told that he will never attend mosque because of the boko haram issue. May the soul of people who died rest i perfect peace.

@manofGod,dont say the xtians are law abiding-didnt you hear what happen in jos last year during muslim ed prayers?the xtians youth in the area attacked the muslims-killed some of them and roasted their dead bodies and ate them.Infact the video of that cannabalism nd devilish act is available.so my friend you shud just shut up.so my friend its all the same-its just circumstances dat determine the action to take

ama

manofGod,ur friend knows nothing about Islam,check old dictionary 4 the meaning of crusade how millions of muslims were killed in Spain ,then you can compare

MJ

AS NORTHERN MUSLIM PROTESTED AGAINST A FILM AND CARTOONS INSULTING ISLAM, , WHY DONT THEY COME OUT AND PROTEST AGAINST THE USE OF THEIR RELIGION AND PROPHET’S NAME TO COMMIT ALL THIS SADISTIC AND SATANIC ACT OF BRUTALITY ON HUMANITY?
AS I HAVE EARLIER STATED PREVIOUSLY, IS ONLY THE MUSLIMS IN THE NORTH THAT CAN PUT AN END TO THIS DASTARDLY AND BARBARIC ACT OF TERORISM PARPITRATED BY BOKO HARAM. THESE SO CALLED SECT OR PEOPLE ARE NOT INVISIBLE THEY ARE YOUR BROTHERS, UNCLES, HUSBANDS, INLAWS AND FATHERS YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, THEY ARE LIVING IN YOUR HOMES AND COMUNITIES PLEASE FISH THEM OUT AND CHASS THEM OUT OF YOUR COMUNITIES THAT IS WHEN WE WILL KNOW THAT THEIR ACT IS NOT THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM.

1pumpaction

This is the only kind of news that comes from the North.It is either killing or demand or opposition to issues that will move us forward and yet they are parasites that produce nothing to help Nigeria grow.Mallam wants to rule the people who feed him.A beggar dictates to the man with cash.The piper dictates the tune to the one who pays him.Na wa for mallam o.

What type of religion is this? Does prophet muhamed realy encourage those people to wast other peoples life all in the name of jihad? If it is true what a pathetic religion shame.

Kizzy

eternal rest grant to the dead o Lord .

Blacklord

Nigeria are fairly united in and with evilssssssssss, 20……. Nigeria in split be prepared and stop panic, south will go, east go, west go and the mohammed north be on their own and continue killing themselves…….. useless set of people

The people (Nothern Elders) AKA (Boko Haram) who brainwash our poor muslims into killing themselves and others, will never be free from it, they keep their own children at home and send our poor children to kill themselves in the name of Allah, this is why they never want our children to be educated so that they can always use them. Anybody who tells you to go and kill yourself or bomb others, is wicked, and is not Islam, tell him to start with himself. He promises you wives in heaven, while he stays here to enjoy the wife you have here on earth. this is wicked. We need to start resisting this.

Ben Uche

Islam is a religion of peace. From Afganistan to Iran, Syria Egypt and Nigeria the evidence is very clear. You need no one to tell you Islam is the most peaceful religion in the world. A true religion should recommend itself even to non-adherents. Islam has the most appalling credentials. Seriously, I’ll rather worship Amadiora than the god of this faith

mr Ben,contrary to what u said-islam remains and is still the fastest growing religion in the world including even united states-its a fact-check it up.despite what ever negative thing u want to say about it-it still appeals to many people around the globe.

justiche

This is a lair. provide your statistics. my people Igbos rejected it entirely and it is decreasing in the Northern Nigeria and that is why you introduced Sharia to protect it from extinction

Olulana

Statistics are figures that require knowledgeable interpretation my brother. Fastest growth rate in terms of what? New conversion or birth rate? What region of the world? Religious statistics has been one of the most difficult to universally gather and wholesomely interpret. For example, high growth rate attributable not only Islam, but others like Budhism, Bahai faith, Deism are buoyed by uncontrolled birth rate in Asia(India esp) against the stagnant birth rate in Europe/West. But in terms of new conversion, I leave you to check your records again, it is still Christianity in the face of Pentecoastal movements all over the world, esp Latin, Africa etc. Till today, absolute population of Christians is still almost double the closest large faith. Just for the facts.
Sincerely, the most essential is for individuals to ensure they get to heaven rather than claiming affinity to populous groups.

MOG

These r signs of the end. It is closer than we kw.The God that answers by fire shall definitely reward these evil perpetrators in his tym.

Dr. Sunnyfranklin

the holy bible state that no sinner will go unpunished, these evil extremist will never get away with all that they have done to innocent Christians. God is about judging them and their acts.

Ifeogor A. Odum

It is only God that will help us out. These people are bent 0n killing innocent people and crushing themselves to hell. Nigeria awake before it is too late because, they are still hiding and planning more evils.

omg

NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORIST BUT ALL TERRORIST AND TERRORIST ORGANISATION AROUND THE WORLD ARE MUSLIMS: AL-QAEDA, ALSHABAAB, TALIBAN, HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, BOKO HARRAM ETC

MERCY

what are Christians still doing in North. Let them leave God forsaking North by time they know it, Boko Haram will start attacking Islam b/c they can never stop killing.

Saleh

Some peopl are very myophic in their comments, it is said the church was attacked by a lady earlier this year, ask who is that lady?’ and what religion does she practice?,! so dont jsut come ot and be making noise. infact her name is “Lydia Joseph”! so this is to show you that your christian brethren are behind the attack, since they attempted that earlier before! please be guided, and for those quoting Qur’aan out of context should please have an indepth knowledge, and thet should be able to read between the lines before they commented!

ay

Boko haram is the brain work of do-or-die northern politicians.The government know their sponsors but term them as sacred cows.Not until one of their own fall prey to this group. They will learn their lessons soon.

chijioke kenneth

Muslims are babaric and will never know peace in their misrable lives. Thier leaders preaches hatred and violents against everyother religions. If your Muh……ed as u people claim and believe is really what he is, why can’t he fight for himself? must you people kill innocent people before he will answer??
All the bloods of the innocent Nigerians that were killed by these devils are crying for vengance and God is there fighting for them. Can’t you people see the sign already??It is happening already. There will never be peace for the wickeds..All the Arab world are killing themselves till they are all eradicated from the surface of the earth….WICKED ANIMALS

Olulana

When Breivik killed 93 in Norway claiming God, the heaviest criticism backed with action came from the Christian community. Even if Boko Haram is wholly political, I have wondered why Islamic leaders, in Nigeria and other countries, have not condemned in strong terms, or rise up in determined efforts, against it if only to show that they are not benefiting.
The benchmark of any true religion is peace and christians in Nigeria have really proven that to the entire modern world, despite the unwarranted provocations.
The word I have for these people is that, the greatest religious wars are fought in the mind, that is the reason why, though Christ was killed and the disciples slaughtered, Christianity was afterwards better embraced even by those who initially hated him.
Physical wars can no longer win religious supremacy in this age where nothing is anymore hidden. Christ foresaw this and he entrenched this in his teaching to change the obsolete tactics of Hebrew wars against the nations which was for political recognition of old testament Israel.
Only religions tested in love have been known to endure because love is the strongest weapon that can capture the mind. Muslim leaders will have to dare the consequences and rise boldly against Boko Haram’s attempt to ‘kill’ to religious self extinction, if they truly hope to have a left over of their religion for their children.

olulana-u said luv is the strongest weapon that can capture the mind-apparently referring to xtianity-but the fact on ground is different-xtianity as a religion is going down especially in the west while islam is going up-why?the reason is anythin that is nt built on solid foundation is bound to fall-nd thats why xtianity is going down-so its nt bout love or watever u want to call it-but its about the trueness of the faith.so despite anything,islam has continued to rise-cos it is the true religion of God.

jamesk

i just can’t believe dis,,,,,,,,,,,,, you i idiot MUSLIMS are trying to confuse us………….. UR religion is not a religion of peace……… Even you know that…..

justiche

This is a lair you are told like many other lairs. please provide you statistics. if it is growing as you claim why the violence. you are killing people in Nigeria cos you saw Christianity is growing. In France a law has been made to stop Muslim women from covering their face. in Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Christianity has been growing. further, Islam has been weakened in those countries including Libya. your brothers knew that Islam has decreased in Nigeria and ensured that it will be excluded in 2006 census for face saving.

Olulana

Statistics are figures that require knowledgeable interpretation my brother. Fastest growth rate in terms of what? New conversion or birth rate? What region of the world? Religious statistics has been one of the most difficult to universally gather and wholesomely interpret. For example, high growth rate attributable not only Islam, but others like Budhism, Bahai faith, Deism are buoyed by uncontrolled birth rate in Asia(India esp) against the stagnant birth rate in Europe/West. But in terms of new conversion, I leave you to check your records again, it is still Christianity in the face of Pentecoastal movements all over the world, esp Latin, Africa etc. Till today, absolute population of Christians is still almost double the closest large faith. Just for the facts.
Sincerely, the most essential is for individuals to ensure they get to heaven rather than claiming affinity to populous groups.

Tai

Who told u Xtianity is going down? Most of these baseless arguments of Muslims that the fastest growing religion is Islam is baseless. How is Islam growing? By persuasion or by compulsion, by conversion or procreation (4 wives). What about the Bible? Can you compare accounts written by different people at different times with near perfect correlation with that written by one man who claimed he had a Vision? Anybody can have a vision. Even Satan gives vision. I believe Islam is an End-Time Satanic machination to deceive many from the truth.
By the way, u say u believe in Moses (Musa), Jesus (Isah), Abraham (Ibrahim) Adam (Adem) etc; All written about, by historical accounts from the Jewish religion and the Holy Bible which existed long before Islam. Who copied who? Where did your prophet copy all those accounts from? Islam is basically satanic plagiarism to corrupt and destroy the laid down religious institution of God. Satan knew that Xtianity is the only true religion that is why he gave them Islam as the Anti-Christ religion. Though the Muslims say they believe in Jesus (Isa) but not as a Savior. That is what makes Islam an Anti-Christ religion.
Quotes from the Bible:
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Jesus Said:

Mar 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Joh 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Muslims Say, How can God have a son? God is not a man.
But that is where they are spiritually bankrupt, they think in terms of the physical alone, they can’t grasp the spiritual father and son concept.
Being the Son talks about the level of relationship, not that God has a wife, but he has a begotten son (by level of relationship)
another illustration from the Old Testament
God told Pharaoh: Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
This is by reason of the relationship he had with Israel.
The relationship between God the father, and Jesus was so close that they could be addressed as one.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
We christian see Jesus Christ as in a perfect unity with God. ONE. That is why we worship.
The same reason they crucified Jesus is the same reason we are being killed and bombed around the world of Islam today. “Dare to call Christ one with God”
But the Bible said;
Christ is the first among many sons, all we who believe and accept him as or savior are sons of God.
My dear Muslims, atheist and any other person opposing the Son-ship and Lordship of Jesus Christ is being deceived, and is heading for hell. You are so deceived that you think shedding innocent blood is the way to heaven; meanwhile you are on the expressway to hell. REPENT and RECEIVE JESUS before it is too late.
Be enlightened.

Sunday Madu

Notes To Muslim Leaders:
Teach your people that to be alive is sweeter than dying
Tell them that a living dog is better than a dead lion
Give your people hope. Your followers are hopeless and this is why they want to die-today!
Establish a welfare system in your mosques and communities to cater for the poor. Stop this Friday, Friday handout. Reject the caste system. All men can become great
Take care of your women and widows (treat your women like human beings)
Tell your followers that God gives life abundantly but the devil steals it
Finally, tell them that all murderers will burn in the deepest part of hell and not a fun party with 10 virgins. You have liberty for 4 wives here on earth and that is enough. That womanizing tendencies in you is destroyed IJN.

Dan malam

Truth is truth. Are the quotations from the Koran wrong? Pls my brother stop being overinflated unnecessarily. It is the correct quotation. You believe it or not. When BH are killing and still killing in the name of Mohammed and Allah, Northern Muslims are quite, but can raise alarm on the film paraded by an American. Some thing is seriously wrong. Haba, my people. Truth is , and will always remained so. May the God of truth open there eyes IJN Amen!

Asuquo

It is very sad the terrible act by BOKO HARAM and I condemn it, I pray Almighty God to have mercy, protect his children in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord through the intercession of Our Mother Mary.. May the souls of the faithfuls departed rest in perfect. I also condol and sympathise with the families that lost their dear ones. May the good Lord comfort them all. Please God arise let the enemies of your children be scatter. FG and Security Agencies be alive to your responbilities to the citizens of the country. Enough of this Enough. May God bless Nigeria.

Nyani

Ama, you surprise me, you talk as if you are an illiterate, what did the politicians do, that warrant somebody to attack innocent people that went to worship their God. I wonder why you are blaming politicians in this matter, please stop this bluff because I don’t see were it is written that you kill your fellow being because of somebody mistake, so please stop that nonsense that people that kills for whatever reasons must faced the judgment thrown of God in the here after.

Bamigbade Kazeem

Boko haram are not islam group but miscreants being used by unscruplous & greedy politician to attained their political status . Islam is a religion of peace & has value for human life. May the soul of deceased rest in perfect peace.

chijioke kenneth

@ Bamigbade, you people should stop fooling yourselves that islam is a religion of peace. so you want to tell me that killing innocent and harmless people by your muslim brothers is a sign of peacul religion? Sometime i wonder why at this modern age will one still be cofused by those mediocrities and uneducated imams that when you kill your someone else, you will go to heaven and have 10 virgins as wives.
When will you people open una eyes? The wrought of God has started consuming you people and that una religion as you people can see what is happening in the Arab world now

Elder Onuegbu

I don’t condemn islam bcos we have civilised muslims in d western part of 9ja, e.g Fashola, Tinubu, etc. But is their quran different frm dat of our peace loving brodas frm d north? Coptic xtians frm Egypt had a hand in dat controversial film but no church was burnt in Egypt. North is more islamic than Mecca, n dat’s y i luv dem. Kill n Maim

what shall it profit u if u kill d whole christians in nigeria, we have god of vengance.

barry clinton

Ordinary anti-islam video can make islamists all over the world to go on rampage and maim, kill and destroy but the same islamists have commited the greatest sacrilege and abomination against christians and xtian faith in nig. and nothing is done and gotv refused to take swift action to crush this insignificant demonic elements, instead of taking audacious action against boko haram the lily-livered and coward CDS Air Marshall Petrin was in a remote hide-out in Lagos where he was commissioning dogs to be used to launch an imaginary terrorists in South East and I wonder why he has not been sacked for making such stupid and senseless statement against the victims of terrorism and in a clear statement the victims have been branded the terrorists? That is nigeria for u and mark my word the terrorist aggression against a catholic church is a direct attack on the Vatican City and the international community will act and tell GEJ that he has become a liability and a sickman of Africa as far as his administration is concerned.

@Saleh,Chaku u’re all fools and d Lord of fire shall consume ur b lvd ones like dose people wu died @ d incident..ISLAM IS A RILIGION OF BLOOD THIRSTY,so bware of going near where dey worship…i believe if all dis BH av being attacking mosque by now Nigeria wud av being in WAR..d so called muslims appy witin demselves wen dey see xtians dieing and later come 4word to sympatise in pretence..Political issues behind BH,,pls ask dis agents of satan called muslims to tell us may be ballot boxes or election materials are kept in d Churches where dey bomb so dey can take dem away in order to rule 9ja.Write it down,very soon all of u wil b consumed,it started in Syrial,u wll kill urselves by own sword,bomb and guns..ISLAM=SATANICSM=BH=MUSLIMS=Fools.

Nyani

Since I was born, I have never heard of saw a poor man acquiring a bicycle talk less of an expensive motor car, but that is what people say about these evil heartless men and women called boko haram, they always said that the boko haram killed because of poverty in Nigeria, how can a poor man have access to a car? I wonder! does poverty lead you to kill your fellow man? It is only in Nigeria that we kill in the name of poverty and bad leadership – please lets stop this gospel by condemning this evil activities and leave in peace once again

adeleye adekunle

when are we going to put an end to this madness?Enough of this senseless killings